If you have ever watched the Tour de France on TV, you will know that cycling can be an incredibly gruelling sport.
However you shouldn’t allow this to put you off cycling altogether because this can be one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise you can do, as well as one of the healthiest.
To demonstrate this point, I have just come across this infographic that lists the top 7 health benefits of cycling:
As you can see, there are lots of reasons why you should consider buying yourself a road bike or a mountain bike and heading out into the surrounding countryside.
You probably already know that cycling can help you improve your fitness and lose weight because this can be quite an intense form of exercise that increases your metabolism and burns lots of calories.
However according to this infographic, it is also good for your muscles as well because it tones up your calves, thighs and buttocks and is very easy on the joints if you have any kind of injuries or mobility issues.
It is also said to be good for your heart and may even improve your life expectancy if you are cycling regularly.
In addition, cycling can also improve your co-ordination, which is something that I never really thought of before, and can even strength your immune system, which is something to bear in mind if you suffer from a lot of colds and other illnesses throughout the year.
Finally, cycling has also been linked to improved mental health based on the findings of this study, even if you are just commuting to work.
So hopefully you can see why cycling is so good for your physical and mental wellbeing, and why so many people are taking up cycling at the moment.
If you would like to buy yourself a new bike, here is a useful video (if you ignore the distracting music) that discusses some of the main things you should look out for:
However if you don’t fancy the idea of heading out onto the roads and braving the elements when it’s really cold and wet outside, you can still enjoy all of the health benefits that cycling has to offer without leaving your house because a spinning bike feels just like a road bike and will provide you with an equally challenging workout.
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